In Friday’s match preview Mark requested “Same Again Please Lads”. Unfortunately the lads weren’t able to oblige at Chorley yesterday. It was clear after a few minutes that the Bulls weren’t on their game with misplaced passes, aimless high balls and failures to control the ball. Chorley were on top in the first half, going in 1-0 up at the interval, courtesy of a fine strike by Blakeman. Hereford improved in the second half, equalising with a debut goal from Rose, and could have snatched a win if Willo had been able to take the opportunity from the penalty spot.
The Bulls lined up with a back four of Robinson, Preston, Howkins and captain Hudson in front of Chapman. D’Ath and Campbell holding the middle, Babos behind Williams and Gibson, and Ceesay wide on the left. The opening period was fairly scrappy, with the Bulls choosing to play long balls up to Willo and Gibson, rather than building attacks with balls to feet. Gibson showed that he can win the ball in the air but no-one was able to pick up the flick ons – he and Williams seemed to be too far apart.
Williams was the first to create a chance for the Bulls in the 8th minute. Babos slipped the ball through to him and he beat two defenders but was unable to beat the keeper from a narrow angle. The game at this point was scrappy and niggly, with few flowing moves. Babos had a chance when the Chorley defence failed to clear a cross, but his shot was blocked by the home keeper’s legs.
Chorley went ahead in the 30th minute. Following some tight interplay on the right flank the ball was played infield to Blakeman who was in far too much space. He beat one fairly half hearted challenge from D’Ath before curling the ball home from 20 yards.
The home side failed to add to their lead, and in truth were unable to create any other chances, but the half ended with Hereford looking second best, never quite clicking into gear. We waited to see if Caddis could inject some purpose and cohesion into them with his half time talk.
Half time: Chorley FC 1 Hereford FC 0
The hosts had the first couple of chances in the second period, with a direct free kick going narrowly wide and then Ellis meeting a corner unchallenged only to see his glancing header go wide.
The Bulls were playing better now, relying less on long punts, and putting the passing game together. After 63 minutes Caddis decided was time to change things up. D’Ath gave way to Teixera, and Ceesay, who had little chance to make an impression on the game, was replaced by Rose. Rose took a central role with Gibson moving to a wider position.
The Bulls were forced into desperate defending on a couple of occasions from Chorley set pieces, and Howkins was lucky to get away with a push on a Chorley player. In the 73rd minute Hewitt, who had been a constant threat for the home side ran from deep and cut inside before curling a right foot shot just wide.
In the 78th minute the Bulls equalised with their best move of the game. Rose won the ball and fed Babos, who moved the ball out wide to Williams. Willo ‘s low cross was met by Rose who had continued his run into the 6 yard box and steered the ball home with a neat finish.
At At At
At
At this point the momentum seemed to be with the Bulls, and Gibson’s cross from the right just escaped Williams’ despairing lunge at the far post.
On 84 minutes Williams crossed from the right and Howkins’ attempt to connect at the far post was foiled by a blatant push in the back.
The ref pointed to the spot and gave Henley a red card for the foul. Williams stepped up to take the penalty, shooting low to the keeper’s left. The shot lacked power and was saved.
Having missed the chance to go 2-1 up, the Bulls could easily gone 2-1 down when Hall hit the post. This was the last real chance of the game, and 10-man Chorley saw the game out. The last few minutes became increasingly tetchy and Gibson and Blakeman received yellows for an off the ball incident between them. The ref blew for full time despite, as far as I could tell, there being no announcement of how many minutes had been added on. The tetchiness continued after the whistle with a bit of pushing and shoving in the centre circle.
Full time: Chorley FC 1 Hereford FC 1
Chorley: Urwin, Henley, Ellis, Wilson, Blakeman, Calveley, Horbury, Nolan (Bird 87), Hewitt, Carr (Touray, 74), Hall.
Unused subs: Clarke, Rice, Smith.
Bulls: Chapman, Hudson, Campbell, Preston, D'Ath (Rose, 63), Gibson, Babos, Williams, Ceesay (Teixeira, 63), Robinson, Howkins.
Unused subs: Skinner, Bitemo, Matwasa.
One of the pleasures of lower league football is the lack of segregation, although it didn’t work out too well on this occasion. Apart from the scuffles at the home end of the ground in the second half, there was some confrontational chanting between the two sets of supporters in the bar shortly before the game, prompted by the arrival of some of the noisier Bulls fans. It created a hostile atmosphere, although nothing came of it.
The beer pumps in the social club are worthy of mention, they fill the special glasses through a magnetic valve in the bottom. Very high tech, and with all due respect to Chorley, a surprising thing to find in their bar.
No-one really excelled for Hereford. Williams showed some good skills at times and got balls in from wide positions including the assist for the goal. His penalty lacked conviction though. Rose took his goal well and was a good physical presence. The back four did OK, I think the problems were in midfield where the Bulls were frequently overrun, and gave the ball away too often. D’Ath didn’t look as assured as he usually does, presumably why Caddis replaced him. It’s early days though, and four points from the first two games is acceptable enough.
On to the next one. COYW
Harwood Bull